Guns at Schools?

Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Monday, August 29, 2022, was a day that parents of school-age children perhaps feared the most. On that day, there were reports of gun-related issues at two schools in the Monroe area. The first reported incident happened at Carroll High School around 8:30 AM when according to reports from Monroe Police, a 14-year-old student was on campus with a handgun in his possession. Based on the information received, a school resource officer was able to find the alleged student and place him in custody. The student was said to have had a gun on him when he was apprehended. He was booked on multiple charges and taken to a facility for juveniles. The student was arrested for Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Firearm on Campus, and Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile.

Only a couple of hours later, officers would have to go through the same routine again, this time at Carroll Junior High School. School administrators received a tip that another student had a weapon on him while at school. Acting on the information they received, officers were able to locate the second student. A gun was found in his backpack after a search was conducted. The student was also 14 years old. He, too, was taken to the same facility for Juveniles on weapon charges. The schools were locked down for both incidents. After the second incident was over, the campus was declared safe for students. Wossman High School was also forced to go on lockdown for unknown reasons at the time. Monroe Police revealed there were conversations on social media among students about bringing a gun to the school. The school went through a precautionary lockdown as a search for weapons was conducted. MPD did not disclose if the two school incidents are related. Nonetheless, Monday or any other school day where students are in classes getting their education, only to be interrupted by a gun scare, is not good. The good thing is all students are safe, alive, and well.